Several districts tie teacher pay to results

Granholm, DeVos differ over plan.

Granholm, DeVos differ over plan.

July 04, 2006

FENNVILLE, Mich. (AP) -- This fall, the Fennville Public Schools start paying teachers based on how well pupils perform. Grand Blanc schools already pay based on student performance, while Grand Rapids will pay teachers up to 1.75 percent more if the district meets enrollment goals. About 400 of the Michigan Education Association's 1,200 bargaining units negotiate new contracts this summer, and other districts also could push pay-for-performance plans. Public schools in at least seven states and at least a dozen cities nationwide now have merit pay plans for teachers. President Bush has proposed a $500-million program to help states develop such incentives. "It's relatively new in Michigan, but it's moving across the country," said Mark Dobias, superintendent of the Fennville schools in western Michigan, about 35 miles southwest of Grand Rapids. "The bottom line is, we need to focus on student achievement growth, and we need teachers to be concerned, too." The issue could become a factor in the governor's race. Republican Dick DeVos says that if elected, he would push for laws that tie raises to student achievement. "There are a lot of great teachers out there, and they should be recognized for their excellence," DeVos spokesman John Truscott told the Detroit Free Press for a story. Gov. Jennifer Granholm says that Lansing should let each district settle its own teacher contract issues. "If local school districts working with their local bargaining units think merit pay would help them reach their collective goals, the governor thinks Lansing shouldn't get in their way," said spokeswoman Liz Boyd.